12-09-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINOR PLAN AMENDMENT Gray’s Bay Shoreline Stabilization Description of Project Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is participating in a project to acquire a private marina on Gray’s Bay; redevelop the marina as a public water access to Lake Minnetonka, stabilize and reconstruct the Highway 101 Causeway between Wayzata Bay and Gray’s Bay and to redevelop the area in the vicinity of the Minnehaha Creek Headwaters on Gray’s Bay. Funding sources for the project include; LCMR funds for land acquisition at the marina site, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources funds for development of a public water access and shore fishing areas. City of Minnetonka funds, Hennepin County funds to reconstruct the Highway 101 Causeway, local fund raising, and potentially Minnehaha Creek Watershed District funds to enhance and demonstrate environmentally sensitive shoreline treatments. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has acquired the marina site. Other easements and property associated with the project are under ownership of the Cities of Minnetonka and Wayzata, and Hennepin County, or are being acquired as highway right-of-way. The new public water access will be staffed and operated by the City of Minnetonka under an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Boat slip rentals (28 slips) and the on-site sale of fuel will pay for the cost of having full time staff at the public water access and the cost of maintenance. The project serves multiple public purposes, some of which are listed below: ■ It will reduce traffic safety problems and boat trailer parking issues. The new public access, in combination with closure of the makeshift launching area on the Causeway and the launch facility at the Headwaters area provides safer and better access to Lake Minnetonka. All three phases are expected to include better storm water management. With MCWD financial and technical participation, the project will demonstrate innovative environmental shoreline treatment as an example for lake shore owners and developers of land. The project is expected to stabilize hundreds of feet of shoreline erosion and include restoration of natural shoreline areas with native vegetation buffers. Minnehaha Creek could provide leadership, funding and in-kind technical expertise for shoreline treatments and demonstrations, and innovative storm water management. C \My OocumtiUtMCWDVOrays Bay Bk>\planam«fKlm6iil(loe 1 P- ..... . .... ,